Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Effective Inexpensive Dog Shampoo Substitute

Shampooing is part of the grooming process for a pet dog. However, commercial dog shampoos offer more disadvantages rather than the expected benefits for both owners and their pets. Apart from being costly, these products may contain preservatives and other harsh chemicals that can cause irritation or allergic reactions in a dog. In most cases, it is better to use a dog shampoo substitute that can be found at home or can be easily prepared out of natural and affordable ingredients.

No one wants to hug a dog that smells bad especially if the pet has just been given a bath. Another bath is simply not advisable because dogs are not supposed to be bathed frequently to avoid dry skin that can cause itchiness and other skin problems. However, a good dog shampoo substitute can provide a lasting fresh smell in a dog pet until its next bath time.

Dry Shampoo Substitutes
Generally, dogs hate to get wet that is why they wiggle, run or hide to avoid water during their bath time. Using dry shampoo does not only give an end to the harrowing experience of giving bath to dogs, but it is a good substitute to clean and freshen pets in between their regular bath schedule. Although it is proven effective, dry shampoo is not to be considered as a replacement for a wet shampoo, which is actually needed by dogs to completely clean them.

A simple but good substitute for dog shampoo is baking soda. This common household ingredient is inexpensive yet effective in making the dog look and smelling fresh. Sprinkle a generous amount of the powder all throughout the back of the dog and use a brush to spread the baking powder all over the dog’s body while at the same removing all the excess away. In a matter of minutes, the dog looks and smells good.

Homemade Dog Shampoo
Most often, commercial dog shampoos are the underlying cause of skin problems in dogs. This can be remedied by concocting homemade dog shampoo using ordinary ingredients. A simple recipe consists of combining eight ounces each of moisturizing antibacterial liquid dish soap, of plain water, cider vinegar, and two ounces of glycerin. By mixing all these ingredients, a dog owner can have a cheaper alternative shampoo to clean and deodorize his canine best friend.

Wet Wipes
Wet wipes are not only meant for babies, but can also be a practical and handy cleaning substitute for giving dogs a sponge bath. Always keep a good stock of baby wipes to keep dogs clean and smelling good while waiting for the next bath to come. To make wet wipes durable for cleaning dogs, use two or three sheets to have a thick layer of disposable dog shampoo substitute.

Deodorant for Dogs
Doggy deodorants are also good substitutes for dog shampoos. Although they are not meant to clean the body, doggy deodorants are intended to mask the stink. Better quality deodorants can even neutralize the stench thus making dogs smell fresh until they have their next bath.

Rolled Oats Dry Shampoo
If baking soda is not available, ground rolled oats can be used as shampoo substitute for dogs. The fine powder from ground oats is effective in absorbing all the dirt, oil and unpleasant odor in dogs. In fact, more dog owners prefer to use this powdered cereal grain over baking soda because dogs remain smelling fresh for several weeks.

Nothing can be more frustrating for a dog owner than to smell his pet reeking with bad odor after a recent bath. Knowing that it is not advisable for dogs to have frequent baths, human masters resort to using a dog shampoo substitute that is considered better alternative to commercial dog shampoos. Try using one of these inexpensive substitutes, which spare the dogs from unscheduled baths that they really do not need.